If you think the only reason students transfer in is for athletics, that's only part of the reason. Academics are important as well. I know things have changed, but every single guy from my Brother Rice (1991) class went to college, except two, who went to the Marines.

If you think those kind of outcomes are important, and many parents do, then you understand why an education like that is a draw. Most kids, no matter how academically gifted, won't go D1, but they will go to college.... to sort of paraphrase an NCAA commercial,

You can't just skate by as a student if you're academically suspect. They push you, help you, fight for you. Everybody gives a damn. A great football team is a nice perk, but it's not the only reason to go.

It's also fair to mention the system was different in the late 80's and early 90's in ways I'm not as familiar with living in California now, but it's definitely more complex than just "football recruiting."

I spent the last two weeks in Brazil, and the English speaking Brazilians love it. They were co-opting it for their game against Cameroon, but slightly changed to "I believe Brasil will win!" Good times.

Honestly, I didn't love it at first, but hearing half the crowd cheer it in Natal was kinda awesome in person, screaming drunk or not.

I think this is great, the internet keeps expanding the availability of content, which has the net impact of making the world smaller, which is fantastic for those of us who no longer live close to where we grew up.

I moved to Los Angeles after graduation from Michigan, but I still donate to both schools that put me on the road to success.

I was the son of a single mom who was a secretary, but tested well and they helped us find a way. I'd like to think I made the most of the opportunity... it sure as hell helped me get into Michigan, get a good education and meet a fine group of friends.

They were going to be seniors... So why not stay and get your UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN degree? If you still want playing time after that, you got a post grad year to try to change people's minds without waiting a year (that you're sitting anyway) or dropping the competition level.

English soccer great George Best has an awesome quote that seems wholly appropriate:
"If I had to choose between dribbling past 5 players and scoring from 40 yards at Anfield or shagging Miss World, it'd be a hard choice. Thankfully, I've done both."

I'll take a wait-n-see approach until this time next year. By then, I'll see where the ship is turning and make up my initial hypothesis about where it's going. Two years from now, I will have my mind made up and I'll join either one of the two powerful camps. Keep vs. replace.